How far is Imperial, PA from Reading, PA?
The driving distance from Imperial, PA to Reading, PA is about 276.8 miles (445.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 29m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 227.3 miles (365.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 59m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 04h 29m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Borough of Pennsylvania
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Imperial and Reading.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Imperial and Reading.
-
1
Start on Church Road
592 ft · 31 sec · Church Road
-
2
Turn left onto Lincoln Highway
2836 ft · 1 min · Lincoln Highway
-
3
Continue on Shipland Road
1161 ft · 24 sec · Shipland Road
-
4
Take the ramp slight right toward US 22 East, US 30 East: Pittsburgh
4 mi · 6 min
-
5
Continue on Steubenville Pike
109 m · 10 sec · Steubenville Pike
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6
Take the exit right toward I 376 East: Pittsburgh
9.9 mi · 14 min
-
7
Keep slight right to continue on Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
14.5 mi · 20 min · Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 76, PATP: Ohio, Harrisburg
1317 ft · 1 min
-
9
Continue straight
885 ft · 30 sec
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on I 76 East: Harrisburg
855 ft · 29 sec
-
11
Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike
230.8 mi · 4 hr 12 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward US 222: Reading, Ephrata
1054 ft · 36 sec
-
13
Continue on Colonel Howard Boulevard
3108 ft · 1 min · Colonel Howard Boulevard
-
14
Keep slight left to continue on Colonel Howard Boulevard
623 ft · 15 sec · Colonel Howard Boulevard
-
15
Keep slight right to continue on US 222 North: Reading
1468 ft · 36 sec
-
16
Merge slight left
3.3 mi · 4 min
-
17
Continue straight
4.1 mi · 6 min
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward US 222 Business: Lancaster Avenue, Shillington
4.9 mi · 9 min
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19
Turn left onto South 5th Street
2195 ft · 47 sec · South 5th Street
-
20
Turn right onto Franklin Street
550 ft · 17 sec · Franklin Street
-
21
Turn left onto South 6th Street
599 ft · 25 sec · South 6th Street
-
22
Turn left onto Penn Street
85 m · 5 sec · Penn Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Penn Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Imperial and Reading.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Pennsylvania Turnpike
Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike
231 mi · 04h 12m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers leaving Imperial and Chance Rain Showers near Reading.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Imperial to Reading?
The road trip is about 276.8 miles (445.4 km) and usually takes 04h 29m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Valley-Hi is a useful midpoint, sitting about 136.9 miles from Imperial and 139.9 miles from Reading.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 227.3 miles (365.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.5 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:00 AM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $43.12 one way or $86.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 86.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers around Imperial and Chance Rain Showers near Reading.
Stop Ideas Near Valley-Hi
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Valley-Hi.
Hancock, MD
Huntingdon
Altoona Transportation Center
Hagerstown, MD
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Imperial and Reading. Straight-line distance: 227.32 mi (365.84 km).
#1 Imperial
Situated in the western part of Allegheny County, this community is a census-designated place located within Findlay Township.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 40.4495100, -80.2445000 |
| Altitude | 296 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Reading
The fourth most populous city in Pennsylvania.
| Population | 88,217 |
| Coordinates | 40.3356500, -75.9268700 |
| Altitude | 93 |
| Country | United States |
End: Penn Street (-75.926876, 40.335365)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 445 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 57m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.41 | $43.12 | $86.25 |
| Mid-grade | $4.83 | $47.21 | $94.42 |
| Premium | $5.28 | $51.61 | $103.23 |
| Diesel | $6.59 | $64.36 | $128.73 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Pennsylvania · Nov 05, 2026